When & How to Write an Ode

How to Write an Ode

The classical ode has an extremely intricate structure of meter and stanzas, far more complicated than other poetic forms such as the sonnet or sestina – and more than could be explained in a short article. If you want to write a classical ode, do some independent research or ask your English teacher if he or she knows the rules (be aware, though, that most teachers don’t – that’s how complicated and obscure this form is!)

Odes in the broader sense are much simpler to write, although it still takes plenty of thought and creativity to write them well! Here are a few tips for writing a successful ode:

Be specific. Avoid general terms like “good” or “excellent” and focus on the particulars of the person or thing that you want to praise.

Be honest. A little exaggeration (or “hyperbole”) here and there is OK, but you don’t want your ode to sound ridiculous – it should be believable and true to the facts, but portray these facts in the best possible light.

Above all, be heartfelt. Heartfelt praise can be recognized from a mile away. Conversely, if your praise is forced, audiences will be able to recognize that too. Let the praise spring from a genuine sense of reverence and respect, or don’t write it at all.

When to Use Odes

Odes are generally an appropriate form of creative writing, but note that they are inherently biased. It’s impossible to write a neutral, impartial ode. That means you should avoid writing an ode in formal essays and any other context where you want the reader to see you as a fair-minded, neutral observer.

In addition, there are plenty of contexts where you might not want to be neutral, but you also don’t want to be seen as completely biased. For example, if you were writing an essay in favor of President Ronald Reagan, it would be appropriate to praise Reagan’s record and decisions. But it would still be inappropriate to write an ode, since this would be too imbalanced for an essay.